Jesus asked, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26; cf. Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25).
Jesus here used hyperbole, an exaggerated statement, to emphasise the value of man’s soul. Even if a man could somehow possess the whole world but failed to inherit the salvation of his soul, his ownership of the whole world would be worthless. No matter how wealthy he becomes, being mortal, man can only own them temporarily. At his death, he gains nothing from his earthly possessions. As far as his standing before God is concerned, his super-wealthy status has no value. By means of his wealth, he cannot purchase his redemption from eternal damnation in hell. His wealth cannot provide a worthy transaction for his redemption.
If not for Christ’s blood shed on the cross, what can provide us with justification and freedom from guilt and damnation? If Christ had not laid down His life as an offering for sin, our souls would have been forever damned. As the apostle Peter wrote, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). To possess every precious thing in this world and yet be without Christ, is to be a pauper forever! Jesus said in Luke 12:21, “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
The riches, royalty and respect this life could offer cannot liberate us from eternal destituteness. The world and all its glories shall pass away (1 John 2:17). 2 Peter 3:10 says, “…the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” But each person’s soul will live forever – those who die in their sins shall live forever, tormented in the eternal fire of hell. But those who cast their trust in Jesus, the Redeemer, and forsake the world to follow Him shall have an eternity with God in heavenly joys and blessings. So why lose your soul’s eternal blessing for a few fleeting decades of self-indulgence in this life?
How sad it is that most people are enamoured by worldly gain at the expense of the heavenly rewards. Dear reader, there is nothing below heaven so precious and noble as your souls, and therefore, do not forsake the eternal salvation of your souls for the transient glory of a perishing world. Will you not care for your soul more than the body? John Flavel, a puritan minister, wrote:
“Two things a master commits to his servant’s care,” saith one: “the child and the child’s clothes.” It will be a poor excuse for the servant to say, at his master’s return, “Sir, here are all the child’s clothes, neat and clean, but the child is lost!” Much so with the account that many will give to God of their souls and bodies at the great day. “Lord, here is my body; I was very grateful for it; I neglected nothing that belonged to its content and welfare; but as for my soul, that is lost and cast away for ever. I took little care and thought about it.”
Remember: all you labour to gain for your body is transitory, and what you lose in your pursuit of material gain is eternal. So, abandon your fascination with this world and its riches for Christ’s sake, that you may gain eternal riches.
Dear Pastor, Board of Elders, and Members of Gethsemane BPC-Singapore,
Greetings in the blessed Name of our Risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
It is with much joy and thanksgiving to the Lord that I greet all of you, on behalf of the church here in Cebu, Philippines: “Blessed 36th Anniversary!”
Praise and glory be to the Lord for the work He has accomplished, and is accomplishing, in each and every one of you – we are bound to give thanks unto Him. Under the leadership of Pastor Koshy, alongside the Board of Elders, and with the team of committed full-time workers, as well as the united support of the members, Gethsemane BPC (Singapore) has been extending the ministry of the Gospel far and wide. Yes, we rejoice in the Lord on the recent development and progress of the Gospel work in India, and in other parts of the world!
Likewise, we are greatly encouraged by how the ministries within the church have flourished from strength to strength for the edification of the saints, even the salvation of the lost. Truly, the Lord has done great things in your midst, and we rejoice together with you!
In this joyous occasion whereby we also remember the glorious resurrection of our Lord, consider the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
All glory be to God!
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Reggor B. Galarpe
Gethsemane BPC (Cebu)